Steam trap



J- F. I

STEAM TRAP Sept 94a.

3 Sheetsz-Sh l v Filed Nov. 22, 1940 I p 1943;, J. F. M KEE 2,328,986

I STEAM TRAP Filed Nov. 22, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 p 3- v J. F. MOKEE 2,323,9 6

- STEAMTRAP Filed Nov. 22, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Sept. 7, 1943 aazsessqgi sTEaM TRAP J 101 111? F. McK

railiamwatm n Company,

@Lansdowne, Pm; ,assignon, to H Philadelphia Pal, a

corporation of Peimsylvania a t Appll cation Novenlber 22, 1940, serial No. 366,540

enema Mypresentinventionrelatesfto a trap, that op erates upon a: liquid under pressure which by reason f-liberation of gas" or vapor, with pres; sure drop increases liquid flow or; ,on the other hand, redujcesliquicl flow according asthe pres sure and temperature of the liquid fall orrise.

As -ini the case of the structure-of my two patents, Nos. 2,051,732 and 2,127,649; the present trapis actuated bythe change infpressurebe tween-two ormore'orifices in seriesas affected by'chang'e of phase or'change of state of the flow medium, either prior to reachingthe orifices .or during" passage through-the orificesor as back pressure; such changes being altered by changes of heat" content, pressure-or ;temperatureofa single fiowmedium, bydifie'rence in phase or state of-tvvd or 'morefiow mediums or by variant back pressure." p The present differs fronr the older'typein "that f the control and discharge orifices *are co nbined into one flow "path which consists [essentially of two or more controllable orifices in seriesii The relativeintermediate pressure :as; before controls ee-w 1 M the discharge, but insteadtof controlling *fiow through a separate parallelflowpath, itcontrolsfthefiowpassing through theinterinediate chamber along the control "flowfipathutself; This is done withOutmaterially afiectingf'th'e intermediate chamber pressure for a given how condition by proportionate restriction ;or enlarge;

rnent-of-the effective opening of bothg'orifices siw multaneously, 'I'hus Witha given baclgpressure the requirements of the controlelenjent which depend on the maintenance of proportional'fiow relationship of 'theorifices toeach-otherare preserveol; although the actual flowiscausedto vary over a Wide'range in response to pressure fluctuation in the intermediate chamberwith change in condition of the fiow'mediu'm. l Tone purpose of the inventionfis to secure a light, inexpensive and highly; eificient trap. My invention is suited to control of discharge an i separation of fluid parts having different characteristics (such as hot condensate and Va; por) ordifierent fluids" (a liquidand gas for exwidest applicationin Withdrawing hot condensat froin steam. l r iiffurther purpose-isto-combine-leakage control an'd hot condensate discharge passages int'o trollable orifices in'seriesg I a "i' li further purpose istoprovide continuous leakage of: hot condensate through a control compertinent and through operation oi the control to pass the main-dischargeof condensate through the s'ame com'partmentr I l l l v i A further purpose is to provide leakageacontrolled valved trap openings in .series with-xan intermediate :control chamber? and "interconnec tion between the valve spth-elleakageiproviding and the interconnection I.proportioning'salike movements of both valves together. .I L t A further epurpose of the inventiont'isl'to Luse progressive changein hase-irithe hot conden-J sate to -change and lirn i he" effective inlet'zland outlet areas to and trom a single trap compartmentoperating as :a control:compartment and also as a passage for the main liquid discharge fioW.'-- A further purpose isl ito. pIOVlfiBYtEtILCOHtIOI chamber with throttled' inlet and throttled outlet' which'lcause reductionlin pressures at each-of let valve-a openings ;closed by interconnectio'ns;- to i the extent that .openingwf; the inletbpens Etheoutlet r and to'fl'use the interconnectionz between thevalves to proportion: the extentsipofzopening for inletand-outlet, respectively,zfor fiow.1: c-

Aifurther purposexis, simultaneously :tcw increase and simultaneouslyE diminish the effective areas of, inlet :and of outlet of 1a *traprcomparte ment; by :balancing related uvalveumechanismflperativle upon bothiinlt and'outlet. areasilietiveen pressure drops, an opening; pressurerdrop abross the inlet against a wcl'osing pressureadrop across the outlet; whereby, mechanism: controlled; by

areas when the vapors; Phase-zeontent; ;increa ses tbeyonclt axpredetermined limitandg-on other hand, increases,both'zareas'unden:corresp; decreaselofthevapor phaseicontente on c A further purpose is; to'yuse"agvalve-operating disc loosely fittinethe compartmentinterion and tilting .301%. turning to; close and open iani outlet, the rdisc being directlyzczor 'indirectlyioperated uponzbyipres'suredropsat theinlettand theioutl'et.

A further purpose is Itohaveithe inlet to -out1et area ratio ot: effective "openings .at .the inlet fend outlet at the combined control and flow chamber increase with compound valve lift in order to offset the effect of back pressure increase with increased flow.

A further purpose is to operate a ball trap outlet valve by an inlet valve and to control the operation by variant pressure in a passage between the valves.

A further purpose is to couple an inlet trap closure with an outlet closure so that they will act together, both to open at the same time andv I have elected to illustrate a few only out of many possible forms of my invention, selecting forms that'are practical and efficient inoperation and which well illustrate the principles involved.

In the drawings: V c Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a desirable embodiment of the invention.

aFigures 1a, lb and 1c are modified fragments Of Figure 1. 1 Y

Figure 2.is-a brokendetail section of Figure 1 taken upon the line 2-2 thereof.

Figure 2a is a modified fragment, of Figure 2. Figures 3 to 11 are longitudinal sections illustrating different embodiments of the invention.

Figures 6a and. 9a are fragmentary views corresponding generally to Figures 6 and 9, respectively, but showing modifications.

In the drawings like numerals refer to like parts in all figures, the numerals being differently primedin some figures, where parts function the same in different illustrated embodiments of the invention; 1

Describing in illustration and not inlimitation and referring to the drawings:

In all of the illustrated forms the trap body,

20 in Figures 1 and 2, includes an intermediate trap compartment which acts as a control chamber, indicated. at 2| in Figure 1, and inlet, and outlet compartments 22.and 23 with adequate inlet and outlet valve openingsifill and 25.and closure valves 26 and 21 therefor.

The closures are related, that for the inlet .to that for the outlet of the same trap so that they rnove together, both opening at the same time and both closing at the same time. Thecomb-ined structuresperforming the valve functions may be viewed as compound valves 28. Therelated or compound valves'are located within the intermediate compartment and close or open adjacent inlet and outlet areas A1 and A2 through the valve openings, from the inlet compartment 'and'to the outlet compartment, respectively. The extents of valve openings progressively vary the actual openings exposed, i. e.,.the effective inlet and outlet fiow areas a1 and cm.

The letter references aboveset forth are not upon the drawings but are used for; purposes, of

valve shifts or not, assuming it free to shift in both directions, according to the direction of change of vapor content in the condensate, and the condition of balance may be expressed algebraically by the relation where C is a constant determined by characteristics of the compound valve, P1, P2, and P3 are pressures respectively within the inlet, intermediate or control and outlet compartments and A1 and A2 are the effective areas presented by the compound valve to the inlet and outlet pressuredrops (Pi-P2) and (Pa-P3) respectively.

The ratio of the effective areas A1 and A2 and the design constant C determine the ratio of P2 to P1. for balance of the compound valve member in the caseof normal operation where P3=0.

The constant C may be predetermined at will in Figures 1 and 3 and will be unity in Figures 4 to 10. 1

While the function of the compound valve is automatically to vary the magnitudes of the inlet and outlet areas on and 112 in order correspondingly to vary the discharge through the trap by the condition of the condensate with respect to temperature, the compound valve also [must control the az/ai ratio in that this ratio indirectly controls the operation of the valve, whether the valve be open, closed, or in an intermediate position.

Preferably the az/ai ratio is made greater when the valve is closed than when the valve is open, because of an effect of back pressure, present when the valve is open and usually absent when the valve is closed. This assumes that the back pressure is determined by the discharge through the valve.

The az/ai ratio and the back pressure are both factors in determining the pressure P2 within the intermediate compartment. f

' I provide an an outlet leakage opening, in Figure 1, 29 large enough so that when the valve is closed this leakage prevents the intermediate pressure with incipient opening of the valve from mounting too high for opening operationof the valve when the condensate temperature falls to the point at which the valve is intended to open. Either an inlet leakage opening 30 is provided, open whether the inlet valve be open or not or partial opening of the inlet valve is used to provide inlet leakage. The leakage may be between the valve and its seat as in most of the figures,

through the valve as in Figure 1a, or througha proximately:

" valve openings. The gasket is chamber-or]compartmentm t; a i l Thecomposite or compound: valve combines the a i inletivalve U26 and ithe-outlet valve 21;. Here the a two parts are separate, with an'adjustmentzbea-z.

Figures 1a and-5'. i

p *Ifjdfiand dz be the leverages upon which the valve areas-A1 and-A2" operate and the back pressure he considered 7 as zero; the pressure P2 in the-ontermediate}chamber for balance-aF-safil00 p'ounds pressure per square inch canbefound I prefer; atipre It has; also been 1 foundzadvantageoustot use relations'ofppenings fortAila-nd Azlhaving'perirrne-,.

ters in the ratio of approximately 1 to; 51

inlet and outletcopeningsirespectively. p t

' openingsineed; not be round buti may :be :rec-

tangularzort-anypther conceivable shape or sec; v

tiOIl-I'l. n l,

The compoundrvalvey str11cture28 may be int ttegraLo-r rigid:o-rimovablapne part with respect to-another. -Itmay be composite and of ,anyof 1 many difierentforms; .In every oase; however,

the compound :valvewis adapted to balance: be-

tween arpressure-drop at. the: inlet to the inter-" mediate? (control) compartment; exerted upon one area of the valve, and a pressure-drop atthe outlet of. the intermediate compartment 1 up n a diiferent area of the valve.,,

-. In every. case the pressure-Adrop between the pressing: upon the outlet valve effective area must pressingnponthe outlet valve, effectiv area:

i @In all of the form the direction of condensate flowisshown by arrowsiw t j In general, the, form of Figures 1 and 2 follow t the illustrations of the two, it patents; above, in that the stockfii is longitudinally bored-and threaded i, at 52 and, .33 to provide for pipe connectionsand also forthe inlet and outlet compartments and is laterally recessed and internallyr threaded at 34 for a threaded cap 35.,

sages 3fi-and 3! adjacent theirgseats are formed in a disc 38 which is heldwithinlthe recess and is sealed; against a desirably metal gasket 39, peris setiin its angularpositions by pins M within openings in nthe disc and body. The body is bored at Aland 431m line with the inletand outlet A er r corr tq di yat 1 a The cap is bored at ifileaving theskirt 4i), and

'istcounterbored at 41,- the space-withinthebore and qcounterbore together comprising; ith inten' inediateor control chamber 2|. Allipalts of this chamberare suificiently in free communication, one s rt t a Q a Q- th s e t c sti te l nrfieotiw a e term diat ll mb rith oush i which both leakage and main .condensatefdis t chargenflows take place, The dischargerate is i 1 controlled Icy-the variant; conditi a be operating to hold the valve inzitsl closed posi' tion against an oppositely ;acting pressure;drop between ,the inlet and intermediatecompartment,

elsewhere l i The inlet valveifi is flangedcat '48 to present xcept as the i inlet} valve-closes to permit is provided one way o'r anotherg as discussed a shoulclerf 49 toGthe flowing condensate. i It carries an appendage 59. ='-I he upper face' of the inlet valve seat 51 =is so s hapedas' to increase the r opening prog-ressively as theva'lve flange is lifted:

the b'est shape which lhave found for the 7 seat iit coinprises a sloping valve-engaging :face 52. The slope though desirably uni form need" not be uniform} ipei thelsekation:need not .be "straight. It need not-be a taper as distinguished,

for example; froni acuppedor crowned cross section! a matter 'ofpracticalconstruction it ised by cylindrical connecting Walls. 53 land The'outlet" lever valve :21 is Linthe forin of: a mate 55 which tilts upon lan y suitablefulcrum,

illustrated as 'pin SGJ-Supported by the disc 38.

The platerests Kthat is, as it is held down by the tight enough'so as not to work loose; One formof securing this is to -squeeze the sides ofthe appendage-(as a nut)--in alongseveral opposite 1mes5s-.--

L it WI'iei'e' the top of the screw 5T ist plane-as in co'ntaotwith the plane under :surface of r the pIateiZ Iw a I The-outlet valveseat isformed as a-sleevesupported'in -disc 38 'but lifted'aboveit. i

'--'The'eutlet path must be=open=at all ti-mes to" prevent undue accumulation of pressure in the cont l on-amber.-

The two valves together are intended to permit constant'leakage through theintermediate orcontrol chamber and the adjustment available 7 50 by screw 51-is-set so thatthe outlet valveplate .For convenience theinlet and outlet valve pas:

l point-resulting-"from liftingofthe inlet valve'is shown at 29. There are also shown'inlet leakage through the valve at 59' in Figure la, outlet leakagethrough -onecor-u1e valve parts at 59 *in Figure 2a and outlet leakage through the bodyfatfdfi inFigure- 1b and at 59 in "Figure 1c;

The outlet val ve p a is made enough Smaller than the*cylindrical wall 'counterbore "within which the valve tiltsso' as to-inaintain the space above the disc or plate, and the space-below this plateefiectivel'yas oneflow' compartment at the ons within this r same pressurjand to maintain i control ot the r valve operation hy-{tl'ie pressure withinthe same (control) 'conipartment'flthrough whichlea'kage'and main discharge-flow of condensate take place. l

Longitudinalfiboresififlaand' filiconnectzlthesine tween them? They are inter-related flin that the-i 7 outlet valveh'ere a "pivot plate-is lifted (opened) by the inlet valve and cannot approach closure e Neither inlet" nor 'outle't valv wholly: closes in these'nse-{that flow cannot: take-place; Leakage the inlet opening would be greatly excessive compared with the -,outlet opening, since the valve tilts about the pin (beyond theedge of the out- I letvalve) as a fulcrum and the vertical lift. of

the-plate would; be much greatenfor the inlet than that for the outlet. This would result correspondingly in excessive pressure in the control chamber and would also Inuch reduce-the capac ity of the trap. ,s' y Inf the valve in Figures 1; and 2, the extentof the slope r,1.,cupping of the valve seat can be chosen to give justtheright amount of actual inlet valveopeningfor ;the intended lift at that,

positiornwith the;result that the proportion desired between inlet and outlet openings can be maintained and the adjustment between the inlet valve and the-disc permit nice adjustmentof the outlet, opening as compared withthe inlet opening, either initially or at any subsequent part of the valve operation. v

Continuous leakage of condensate canbe accommodated by partial lifting of the inlet valve where leakage grooves or apertures are objectionable.

closure when the control chamber pressure overcomes the inlet and back pressure.

, The function of the dished, sloped or tapered valve also, of course, lifts-the outlet valve in all of the forms except in that of Figure 5. The pressure in the control chamber can be maintained as nearly'constant but the back pressure varies over a wide range due. to widely variant conditions of flow.

It is desirable to maintain substantially the same control temperature and pressure notwithstanding wide difierences in opening of inlet and outlet valves and to accommodate widely divergent rates of condensate flow.

T Assuming normal control chamber pressure and that momentarily the inlet valve has closed as far as it is intended to close, the outlet valve will still be slightly open in order to avoid danger that inlet flow will lift the control chamber pressure so high as to prevent opening of the outlet valve.

Let us assume that condensate'has backed up on the inlet side, that is at the left in Figure l,

' and that the connecting pipe is full of conlhe conditions determining flow of condensate through the chamber to' discharge-as distinguished from mere leakage throughare that pressure uponlth e inlet valve from below tending to lift the inlet valve and acting for that purpose upona leverage fulcruming at the pin 56,-plus back pressure upon the under side of the valve plate, overcome control chamber pressure upon the inlet valve fulcruming at the pin plus controlchamber pressure upon the outlet valve again fulcruming at the pin. As soon as this condition .is reached the inlet valve is lifted,

' pressure. I

continued until increasing temperature and vapor pressure of the condensate cause the forces acting upon the individual valves from within the control chamber to overcome the inlet and backpressureupon the valves so as to force the compound valve toward effective closed position. Flowas distinguished from leakage will take place in many instances over long periods of time, the flow fluctuating increasing during the time of delivery of larger quantities of condensate from the steam system and reducing during times when there is but littlecondensate accumulation. i

hs distinguished' from .the situation in my previous patents, there are here definite valves upon which the inlet pressure and back pressure act, one at the inlet-and the other: at the outlet'totend to open both valves. v Moreover thedefinite valves are coupled together in most of, the formsso that the inletandback pressure are combined so that pressure on each tends toopen both valves; and the control chamber pressure at the two valves resists the opening pressure of each and because they are coupled, tends to :close both valves. With changing control chamber.pressureythevalves move to open farther when the inlet and back pressure over come. the .control pressure, and .move toward densate for a considerable distance. normal use this condensate will be very hot close to the trap, and at the trap will closely approach steam temperature. It will be under steam Constant leakage of hot condensate through the intermediate control chamber 2! and out 1 in both opening or opening further, with discharge of condensate until the pressure in this control chamber (due to the higher temperature of the hotter condensate now flowing) causes both valves to close or partially close. There is no substantial difference in pressure above and below the valve plate.

As fiow starts or increases through the flow chamber the inlet pressure remains substan tially unchanged and the chamber pressure alters but little but the back pressure due to discharge from the'outlet risesconsiderably and may rise as much as 20 to 30% of line pressure. It has been found that with a construction such as that of Figures 1 and 2,'with back pressure zero at the start, the chamber pressure will be approximately 87% of the inlet pressure, for balance but thatwith condensate flow and a back pressure built up by that flow the closing difierential pressure at the outlet is reduced by the higher back pressure; with the result'that the chamber pressure necessary for balance is increased.

i To put this in another way, this means that 'the valves then will not close until discharge through the chamber has broughtinto the chamber-high temperature-condensate in quantity sufficient to raise thelpressure in the control chamber.

During t lgapp'lication :of the invention. 3

' yIn'Figui'ei3}the"compound or icozhp'o m nu-- 15.

t p aazeess T' Asr inthefcase ofithet-raps f:my, twopatents nitiislnecessary toidischarge at as nearlytsteam temperature as possible. With ppem'ng of' the vlp mbi'nedvalvethe pressure in the; control Vchambeen increases lpirogressively; as the itempelfature of lithe :inl'et increases} reaching equil i ti-ore steam reaches thevalve; The forms of Figures 3 to 9 are are inten'dedtd illustrate:theqwiderrange of site valve j I 62 is :shlown:within intermediate Ccontrolxxrcom- \partment 63. The lever li l carriesinlet androutwiletrvalve "elements 65. and: 66 atoppositeiends of the lever. It pivots -about a'fisuppprtingipinmfl *Which is; verticallyedjustable: hyi screwingiithe 1 thread 68 ofthefpin into the Leasing 6.9 and: is"held 3 I'ibytl'ock' 'nut wriThe lbover H is; threadedaontthe pm 61. The casing 69 is closed by. threaded plugs 12;' 13 and connections arevmade b'y-rpipes In this case for op wrnovesfdown. and the other up; considered as di- \rectio'ns on ithe drawing, but both open 'co'ricur;

'zreritlyi: 'Itikewis'e pbothimovei towar dz c losure conr currently. f' Neithe'r will whollylic'lojsei unless there other means of leakage than through the lve. As will be seen ilif ting the leveriwill relatively latively decrease the contro-li 'l'eak- In theformshowm in Figure 4 thev'alves :18 arid direction. The extent of movement again is very small. '"Adjus'tment of :the valves 5 so that they will 'seatisubstantiallytogether, butso thatblltlet flow cannot be stoppe is pro vided b'y threaded it locked in position by nut 85. Plugs Bilfid'BTclOSe the ends of a casin "In 3 1mm he"-'forins previ I support movin'g the' valves in opposite "directions.

*Ini Figure 4 "it i Lthe yoke support moving the valves 'in' fthe same direction. f?

l 'In' Figure 5 however :the "valve" pa rts' are m-' f rchanically f 'independent ith Lcoa'otion Ii between them bei'ng' "due todpehdence up'owthe' pressure within :the control chamber. L l

' thin which is intermediate ccmpar n'ie'rit "*9 I.

pres'sed toward its seat ss by a compressiorrlspring I] 'e'akage? passage-402531 this -vs1ve. 'Botlii :spiings'; areranw ohored atvthe rearzto-thefcasing by screwsi r] 03 gthreladed into the casingrand-locked' nuts 104. The covers [Q5 protect againsfilegkal 1' l ji e 6- i d wcon e tedtsma ibrium'ibediagra m c ening movement oheivalve crease the 'con'trol'" T leakage and tlowering "the 88 and thelinle't s pr vide I j sirdescripedimere beeri me m n 1fjnt linka b t n inletand outlet valves.- In Figure litis tl'i f ordd penin'gpf the outlet Valve by tl =ope f the her Inlet takes place through"pipe 92 aIIdE OiitIetf presseiraai s itsfseatzrmo The tension spring llll constantly pulls against: this; pressure i and tends to "pull the valve away f fromxitsyse'at. FLea'kage takes; place 'thr'ou'gh'i an lar si scha e co i va "6 and 07 @0 ne cted ;-adjustably by;: a stem Hi8 threaded into p of the valves are pivoted atJBS to a lever llll which turns about a pin ll I .Atthe oppo- 5 site: end of tl e ilever a piston rod [I2 is pivoted {at-i litandcarries at its opposite ,end a piston finde a l 5; lea a e i r i d- 1 I Trap n et through-17h .eadedgpassage l l Swith outlet through 10 t hreaded. discharge H1. The cylinder is freely The construction-is diagrammatic but is shown b i t=.u th r2u h;a iinsha ine a t an e ebQr eM- t r i ide h entra c amb and a pistonnbgre. The loores: are closed byplugs i 20,

land- 22 s l d qqndens avi l e -ireel t i oi b h i ve i t-1 l? fil e -1 ihis xiie au -the 51 fibers? rais :Q th .out et v l e i le er; th n 2 1t i lete eiq he i etwalve- ..-.Th r isial 1 e fro mj the control-chamber past the ipisv th tra qa se athe o c densat rsst em. to fla he fits ter the n ro he e rbfinsin p sp ure on the pis I 4 s hec l d rat-th en (I t e l er "o t tol he. va ve The pis- -Li n @then1 awt e valves. t rd l u it 7 .They W11l ,stay inpartly;closed position mostqof spa e ne t d-h i he' dienhm mawillzl eina airplane ??-.i r s ie e or; the :trap d acent e b e 1J5 beie ed t9 ese' mm da e The iaphragm l is ret inedloy any suitablemeans; not showrr and itsrresilienc aga -th .forrr pi -Figure th l23jl24 and I25 are shcwn within a; casing 126. The valves move toward or against seats 121,

il t ml iheinle 359. me mfidia c ompar tnientfl 3 l and discharge compartcorril art:pent 133 which, -howeve is; l in 4 l n exleeke mee ii supp gm ntalconipartrnent isclosedbya'plugqi34.

i oneway or; another passage is supplied to permit ontinuedleakagethrqugh to the discharge com- ;partment; JIPhe? Stem 135-;ri'gid1y connecting nthe several valves is hollow forming a throu'gh"pas- 17 1S 8 i36 as to ensure pressure in "the counterloa'lanci ngcompartment 133::e'qual tolir-ilet pressure. v

' j; :Imordento: avoid-hawkwardnessT- of expressioon and make itpossible toycover in the sames 'el'aims A, -75..and, ingsimple= language Valves whichfnever close l -M Between the pistonand the wallsof a cyl-s ias vihe va v w l c ntin xwit 1 u h t m i 5 a t e: sin m rature oisrcqnd s te. rea h We o av aka e t :bpth valvesrim order sate flow ancl are suitedibestto'ilse where i s thus rendered substantially Without utility: but

inst transverse distortion assists rejeltape redi valves 7 32 there is asupplemental counter-lazilwholly and allow leakage totake place between the valvesand what would betheir seats if they fully closed, and also valves-which fully close ingsin'the'walls (as in Figures 110 and -10) or through the body of the valve itself (as in Figures la and I'have referred to-providing flow through the intermediate compartment, whether the valves be in open or closed position'and other language regarding the closing of the valve.

It is intended to cover in the claims cases such as in Figure 1 where the valve has a seat toward whichit approaches but which it never reaches, considering the closed position of thevalves as Zclosethe valves.

that position where it shuts off fluid flow to thefullestintended extent. "In other words, the

closure ofthje valve is the movement of'the valve as far 'asit is intended to 'move for constriction of 'flow even 'if it doesnot close entirely. "The valve may or may not rely upon other leakage provisionthan its own opening for the constant flow through the intermediate compartment;

In starting cold' 'condensate will flow through the-tubular stem to the chamber or compartmerit I33 at the lower end offthetrap and will bring'pressure upon the projected cross-sectional 'area of the lower-v'alve opening the inlet and outlet' valves' for free discharge'flow because of the low chamber-pressure between the twoupper valves. This discharge is facilitatedby'the tact that the outlet valve is larger than the'inletvalve :andwillallow discharge of cold water through it freely. w en the condensate'discha'rge becomes sufliciently h'ot, flashing" of l the hot condensate "takes place past the inlet valve. the pressure in the chamber or compartment l3! and causes the 'valve'to-m-ove toward closure, the

same as in theotherformsof trap. The bottom This builds up valve operates to mak the chamber I a counterbalancing chamber. i

It will be not'ed'th'at no seconq'reakageis here provided, the leakage through the'casing or valve 'or at the valve being sufii'cient. I

In Figure 8 the condition is much the sanie'as in Figure 7 except that the pressure available in I the balancing or counterbalancing chamber against the lowest valve is not the inlet pressure,

of say 100 lbs., as in Figure 'lfbutfis the pressure (say-87 lbs.) of the control ehamberfl tifijbecause thepassage I36 does not pass'ntirely through 'thestemin' Figure 8 but starts ate-an opening'liil within the control compartment l3I-and not from I the end of thestem where it wouldjreceive the i Figurell'represents a reversalinpart pofxthe structure of Figure 6, but laclgs a lever connection. In it the's'mall inlet and largerputlet valves I38 and I39 are rigidlyconnected by an adjustable stem I40 and close,-as nearly as theyare intended to close,;at*diflerent points toward or against taper seats at MI and I4? The outlet valve carries a cylinder 143 into which leakage takes place through a continuously open passage I 44. A

' fixed piston I451 is rigidlypositioned within the casing I'46'but s capable of adjustment in itby threaded 'stem' I Al loclged inadiusted position by 'nutMB. I v

'Thecontrol chamber 'I' I9 lies'between the seats," MI' and I42 in'thespa'ce' located longitudinally betwen inlet and outlet valves. 7

. Leakage takes place continuously along" two pathsifrom inlet to outlet. There is'als'o free discharge flow""as distinguished from leakage -C onjdensate;-for example, passes through freely 4 when cold and until. it gets-very hot.

'perature' of thecondensate gets sufficiently hot In Figure 11 a form is shown bearing considerable'resemblance to the form of Figures 1 and 2.

contacts at IN and I55; there: is intended to beleakage through the Casing at all times and this may take place past the outthrough the two valves until the temperature of condensatefor examplegets high enough for flashing to take place.

I The cylinder and piston act as a dash pot tendin'gto ofiset rapid'movement of the valve, and, as the pressure rises in cylinder I43, the cylinder is pushed away from 'thepiston M5,. tending to l. T In Figure 9a the. cylinder is displaced by a bellows I43" of resilientmaterial, one endof which is' secured. to the outlet valve. Both ends are closed'f'except as passage I44 opens into the bellows; .5

of Figure'ila are therefore for this purpose alter- 'nativesfo-r-'the piston and cylinder ofrFigures 6 land 9 t i'Flashing not only increases pressure between the valves but increases pressure within the cylinderleii. r

InFigurjeilO the'casing I containsa valve seat at"! El against'which rests the outside (valve) sur- --face of, a-truncated cone shell. I 52 forming a valve .betweenltheoutside of theshell andthe inside *o'f th'e valve seat';I E I, at I53. The shell forms :in-

let valve seat [5G and outlet valve seat I55for fixed valve elements I 56 and. I5'l.- The-fixed valves are carried by a stem I58 which is threaded at I59 into a bar ISil. The stemis' locked by nut 7 I61.

The shell therefore has three valve contacts, an

The bar I60 is rigid with the casing I50.

o-utside'valve contact at 'I5I, and inside 'valve As in the other forms side-ofzthe shell'and through the control chamber IfiL het-herbetweenthe valves and their seats or through the shell or valve body, a illustrated. in

other forms."

:"In operation leakage takes place also between the outside valve and its truncated cone seat.

so thatvaporization takes place within the control" chamber the capacity of the outlet larger valve. to discharge-as 'fast as the inlet valve ad- 'lITlltS is reduced progressively. Acting, on the projected;,area inside the truncated-cone the resultingpressure within chamber, I 62 presses the cone toward closure of allithre'e. valve openings. As

-- in the other; forms the-trap normally operates at slightlylower temperature, or in less volume at nearly steam temperature. I c

The fluidlet us assume that it is condensate--- .comes. into the compartmentZZ through a trap connection 32 and passes through an inlet open- This compartment is closed by a plug soiasitopermit passage of discharge flow through 'outletva lve' 25? into outlet compartment 23,

whence' it passes todischarge through the threaded connection'33 "-'In1et and outlet leakages at provide din this As the temrem ss in theforms een in ri'eures ega; and

"1 n as: thetemperature ot thecondensateat the Valve approaches steam temperature distinguished? from the quantity which i .vided as fleakagef :Mlhh t n 4 :;:In view of my invention'fand' disclosur 6410,; in any suitable way, such asohe-ofthe ways aIreadydes'cribed f a pendage just asin the Figure-linain-form. fIhe valve flange is of thefisame character 'andthe seat against which the-flange fits may be convex or concave as desired to properlyproportion the increasing inlet flow to the'outlet flow; -'I;he ball rolling to expose the outlet isyequivaleiit to an s angular plate which tiltsbn a" pin fulcrumw The 1 fulcrum here is the edge of the outlet. i i

i The operation of the-Figure 11 form issuestantially the same a's w'ith that of-Figures land @2. I ieakage' through the trap takes placeall the timeand cold or cooler condensate will-how V through freely,- the outlet leaka'ge providin'g for-a faster rate "for discharge than is-permitted byth'e inlet leakage; Likewise, the outlet now provided when discharge -in' quantity is' t'akin'g place throughthe leakageand control chamber 2lf is larger'than the inlet; provided under likefcondi tions. When the temperature of-th condensate tion due to the flashin g progressively slows dowri the? discharge rate. The temperature and pres sure in 'i the control compartment; both increase,

the temperature approaching steam temperature 4 inlet It 'will' be evident that the twoorifices-inseries c contemplated in thisapplication incIudeany apwerturebpening, holefltube, 1etc;,-rhavin' an inlet and an outlet and an intermediate portien. having pressure between that at the inlet fland that at g thel outlet, the" inlet corresponding to th zifirst orifice. i l l. It will be evidentfthat the varying pressures at n points between the inlet andoutlettmay be uti- I lized accordingly to'cpen and close inlet and 'outlet Valves by any of a variety of possible means,

varying from the "rigid'coupling" ofiFiguresil i; 7 and 8'through' movable directly connected co'u? pling; as in Figure 3, andcooperative controlgione over the "other by position, as in: Figures-'1; 2and ,lll'fto whollyseparate 'an'd distinct' valvcs related in their opening and closingimovements' 'tl'irough the *pressureat the intermediate pointkasgin Figa In eachiof the'f ormswhen the inletand outlet closures are in closed positions thereis" flowinevand 59f or otherwise, and languagyreferring'to closingof the valves or of the closures ofrthe orifices "is therefore to' mean completingjtheblosing'"movement and not to negative leakagesi remaining as where a valve does notifullyreach a "seat even" if capable of' shutting off fiow't com a :Dltely against such"a seat'." *Becauseofthe' ob-Wfvious desirability"of""covering" all the 'fornis i i which such "leakage is provided inone expression reference tdthe' condition of leakage notwith standing closure of thevalve's; In'eahmgleakage orifice and the outlet correspondingto the second these ofthepressure within the interrnediate pertinent whether the valves be in open or closed 3 position. i

ertheless through the controlchamberfiwhether v c that how takes pla'cethrough deliberatefailure I to? close the valves tightly',throughigrooves in .i Qthe va1ve' faces orrin thevalveiseats; Lthrough i passages independent vof ther valves and their seats such asin Figures 1a,1ban'd"1c at1595; 593

Havingthiisfdescribed my invention what claim asnewand desiretosecureby LettersPatn or particular need will doubtless become evident to others skilledin the art, to obtain all or part of the benefits of my invention without copying the-structureshown, emu, therefore, claim all such in so far as they-fall within thereasonable spirit and-scope of myinvention.

ls A traphavi'ng spacedinlet andoutlet orifices and an interme diate control chamber 10-- catedbetween the orifices-and through which main discharge takes placc', --pressure operated closures for bothorifices, both opening inwardly; 7 into the intermediate control chamber and against f its pressure and continuous leakage meansior-permitting continuous fiow into the chamber andout from it even when the closures are otherwise closed. i

i 2. A trap-having spaced inlet and 'outlet orifices a'nd an interinediate control chamber 10- cated between the orifices andv through which main discharge takes place, pressure operated closures for nearly closing both orifices, both opening' inwardly into the intermediate tchaniber againstits pressure and the outlet being i opening into the intermediate compartment in which the valves are coupled to open together and to close together and the valves are opened by the combined inlet pressure upon the inlet valve and back pressure *u'pon theoutlet valve-and are closed by the preponderance over compartment-upon both valves and means for providing fiow through the intermediatepomE 4. In a steam trap, atrap having abody and openings in series therein 'for inlet andoutlet flow to an intermediate control compartment to and through which the main-discharge flow passes, a pressure operatedivalvefor. each of the: openings, and connecticns between'the" inlet valveand the outlet valve whereby the lifting of'the inlet valve proportionately lifts the outlet valve, {and means for providing continuoushilow through the ontrol compartment ev enwhenthe valves are in closed position. '7 i 5. A steam' i f 'having spaced inlet andout- I let orifices andcan intermediate control chamber throughvvhichcondensateis adapted topasslfrom notwithstanding such closure as is intended; Lto;

shutoff what might be considered"thesfifiowWas Lpro a stearn'system at steam pressure through thein: termediate chamber where itis atlovver pressure and todischarge, and separate means for subnstantiallygclosing the orifices the openingjof the orifices being opposed: by the pressure in the intermediate, chamber, bothf means being responsive to pressure in the intermediate chamber and means for providing flow throughthe control chamber even when thefplosures Offthe orifices v are in closed position, whereby; fiuctuations in pressure in the, intermediate chamber become effective forz movement of bothclosure means to ward opening when the intermediate pressure tions and modifications to meet individual whim lowers and; towardclosure when the intermedie ate pressure-rises.

. :6. Acontrol-element for the-discharge of condensate: frornsteam providinga plurality of separate orificesin series and an intermediate 7 pressure control chamber through which the entire flow passes,,means for effectively closing through the control chamber whether the closures be in closed position, or not, the flow being controlled by the pressure withinthe intermediate chamber and its relation to-'- the inlet and dischargeback pressuresto. open both closures 1 1 A trap having two sp'acedorifices and an intermediate pressure control chamber through which entire discharge. takes-place and valves closing the two orificesthe valves being connected, both to open together-for inlet 'fiow into the chamber and both to close together, the.

valves being controlled in their, movementiby varying the pressure inthe chamber, and means or providing continuous: flow through the 'controlcha-mber even when" the closures are inv closed position.

=8. A steam trap having, spaced orifices and an intermediate pressure control chamber for" main discharge and interconnected closures for the orifices; both opening into the intermediate chamber and both controlled in movement by the pressure in the intermediate chamber and its relationto inlet and discharge back. pressure,

whereby the pressure of the; intermediate chamber controls opening of both closures when the pressure is reduced and closingof both when the 5 trol compartment even when the closures are in closed position. I

' 10. In a steam' trap, a body having a control chamber and inlet and outlet valved openings,

pressure operated movable valve means for opening substantially closing the two open ings; and connected to open 'together'and close together and means for providing leakage of in.- let fluid to and outlet fluid from the control chamber to determine the pressure .in the control chamber, the variationv of pressure in. the chamber being effective to permit the valves ,to

a be opened ors ubstantiallyto closethe connected valves.

11. In a steam trap, a trapbody having open ings through ititb provide inlet and outl'et flow through an intermediate control compartment, there being leakagebetween the inlet and outlet compartments to and-from which the flowp'asses', a pressure operated valve for each of the openings, amechanical connection between the inlet valve and the outlet valve, coupling. them for opening movement greater for "theinlet Valve than for the outlet valve, wherebythe lifting ofthe inlet valve proportionately opens the outlet valveand'an adjustment in the connection be tween theinlet valve and the outlet valve; Wherealso, which consists in leaking the liquid and s3 continuously through throttling spaced oritices and a single intervening control chamber and discharginggthe liquid through the same ohamber 1 the orifices. and means 1 for xprevidingflow and both, orifices -at a rate determined by the. pressure-in said chamber.

" '13. The method of operating a fluid trap ha -v mg. a; single control chamber, an inlet opening thereto from a condensate supply andan-outlet opening therefrom to permit discharge against back pressure, and-pressure operated inlet and outlet valves for the openings, each valve moving about arr-axis and both subj'ectatoiclosing pressure within the chamber; which: consists in coupling the va-lves together to; cause them to -move concurrently in the samedi-rection: about saidqaxis,- both opening or both closing, in leaking condensate continuously through thecontrol chamberalong-the path of flow-between: the inlet and the outlet, and in opposing reduced pressure exerted against the inlet-valveplus back pres-g sure'against the outlet valve on the one hand, against the control chamber pressure :upon :the .twovalves on the-other hand, to open both valves orsubstantially to close both valves-according to. which of the forces predominates.

- l'ivA-steamtrapcomprising a body having inlet and outlet passages anda bore between the passages, adisc within the bore carrying: inlet and outlet valve seats, a cupped closure threadedinto the bore having askirt engaging the disc and holding it in position, the bore providing: a control compartment through which condensate passes from theinlet to the outlet, a valve for the outlet passage-resting within the bore, a

. valve for the inlet adapted to lift the outletvalve with. lifting of the inlet'valve and means 'for providing leakage to and from thecompartrn'ent to provide for normal leakage of condensate through the control compartment.

1 5. A' steam trap comprising a body havin inlet and outlet passages and a lateral threaded bore between the passages, a. disc within thebo're carrying inlet and outlet valve seats, a. cupped closure threaded into the bore having-I a skirt engagingthe' disc and holding it. in :p osition, the

outlet valve and means' for: providing and outlet openings anda transverse bore conbo'r'e providing a compartment through which fluid. passes from the inletto the outlet, a valve for thev outlet passage resting withinthe bore, a valve'for the inlet adapted to cooperate. with the leakage to andfrom the compartment. I 16. In a steam trap; a trapbody having inlet nect'ed' respectively therewith; a 'disc in the bore carrying inlet and outlet valve seats'at the outer facez'of the disc, a loose outlet valve adapted: to turn-about and pivot with respect to the' outlet valve seat to open the-outlet valve; an'inl'et valve, adjustable connections between the inlet valve and the opposite end of the disc from the end atwhich the loose'valve pivots and leakagerme'ans for passingcondensatethrough the outlet valve whethe-r'the inlet valve, be closed or open.

17; In a steam trap; a trap body having inlet and outlet openings and a bore connected respecby the extent of opening or the outlet valve with a -given -mdvement oi the inlet valve may be var led; r a i tively' therewith, a" disc in the bore carrying. inlet and outlet valve seats at the'faceof the disc, an

inletvalv'e, a loose-outlet valve adaptedto turn let valve from the end at which the loose valve pivots and leakage means for passing condensate through the passage when the inlet is otherwise closed.

18. In a steam trap, a trap body having open ings through it for inlet and outlet; and an intermediate control compartment to and from which flow passes, a valve for each of the openings,

valve may be varied and the outlet valve may i be held open when the inlet valve is closed.

,with these passages, a cupped cover threaded into the bore, bored and counterbored and adapted to engage the disc and hold it in position,

an inlet valve engaging the inlet valve seat, a liftable outlet disc valve within the cup of the cover, a shoulder between the bore and counterbore of the cover, engaged by the disc and an adjustable connection between the inlet valve and the outlet valve whereby the extent of lifting of the outlet valve withrespect to the inlet valve may be adjusted. i

20. A drainage device to operate between relatively high and low pressure systems for delivering drainage from the high pressure system to the low pressure system, the device having an inlet from the high pressure system and an outlet to the low pressure system and valve means operative in reverse directions by the pressure drops at the inlet and outlet to constrict the inlet and outlet at one vapor-phase content of the flowing medium and to enlarge the inlet and outlet at another and lower vapor-phase content of the flowing medium, and in which the said means includes a lever having an intermediate pivot and inlet and outlet valve elements on opposite ends of the lever.

21, A drainage device to operate between relatively high and low pressure systems for delivering drainage from the high pressure system to the low pressure system, the device having an inlet from the high pressure system and an outletto the low pressure system and means operative in reverse directions by the pressure drops at the inlet and outlet to constrict the inlet and outlet at one vapor-phase content of the flowing medium and to enlarge the inlet and outlet at another and lower vapor phase content of the flowing'medium, and in which the said means includes a lever having a pivot at an intermediate portion of the lever, an adjustment for the pivot and valves at opposite ends of the lever adapted to be presented respectivelyto the inlet and outlet.

22. A drainage device to operate between relatively high and low pressure systems for delivering drainage from the high pressure system to the low pressure system, the device having an inlet from the high pressure system and an outlet to the low pressure system and means operative in reverse direction by the pressure drops at the inlet and outlet to constrict the inlet and outlet at one vapor-phase content of the flowingimedium and to enlarge the inlet and outlet at another and lower vapor phase content of the flowing meduim, in which the inlet and outlet includes axially spaced ports and the said means includes a valve element at each port and a yoke connection between the elements whereby movement of the mean in one direction opens both ports and movement thereof in the other direction closes both ports.

. JOHN F. McKEE. 

